Kane scores twice in England's thrilling six-goal victory over Croatia

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England’s midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham (L) celebrates with England’s forward #09 Harry Kane after scoring a goal during the 2026 World Cup Group L football match between England and Croatia at the Dallas Stadium in Arlington on June 17, 2026. (Photo by Aric Becker / AFP)

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Harry Kane scored twice in the first half as England eventually saw off Croatia 4-2 to launch their World Cup title assault in Texas on Wednesday.

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Jude Bellingham, immediately after half-time, and substitute Marcus Rashford with five minutes to go ensured a winning start for Thomas Tuchel’s side after Croatia had fought back to level at 2-2.

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The prolific Kane twice put England ahead in the first half — one a retaken penalty — only for Martin Baturina and Petar Musa to hit back for 2018 runners-up Croatia.

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With both sides shaky at the back, the second half threatened another goal glut, Bellingham needing just two minutes to put England ahead again in front of a crowd of 70,000.

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England had numerous chances to extend their lead immediately after, but did not take them until Rashford popped up.

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The meeting was a repeat of the 2018 semi-final, which Croatia won 2-1 after extra-time, although England have since had the edge against one of the older squads at the tournament in North America.

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Thomas Tuchel’s side, bidding to deliver England a first major trophy since 1966, made a nervy start in front of a packed house at the impressive air-conditioned home of the Dallas Cowboys.

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Then the drama came. Croatia’s talismanic captain Luka Modric dangled out a leg and caught Noni Madueke in the box.

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Kane saw his unconvincing penalty saved by Dominik Livakovic, only for French referee Clement Turpin to order a retake after video replays deemed the stopper had come off his line.

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Turpin once sent off Tuchel in the Champions League and the referee taking charge of the game had been highlighted by English media this week.

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– Bellingham to rescue –

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Bayern Munich predator Kane held his nerve second time around, again going to Livakovic’s left but this time in more ruthless fashion to give England the lead after 12 minutes.

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Now it was all England, and Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham — preferred to Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role — surged upfield, forcing Livakovic to smother.

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Loud boos rang out for the drinks break, given the match was under a roof and not the unforgiving Texas sun.

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On the half-hour England should have gone 2-0 up, Bellingham narrowly failing to make contact with Madueke’s delicious low cross.

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On 36 minutes Croatia drew level.

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England squandered the ball in midfield, then Petar Sucic left John Stones on the floor with some neat footwork to set up Baturina.

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The 23-year-old met the ball first time and whipped it past Jordan Pickford, who got a hand to the ball.

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Zlatko Dalic’s side were level for just six minutes as a Declan Rice corner found Kane unmarked and the captain nodded home.

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It took skipper Kane to 10 World Cup goals, the most of any England player along with Gary Lineker.

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Tuchel, who has made it clear that winning the World Cup is his aim, barely smiled.

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Putting the seal on a frenetic first half, Musa took advantage of more poor England defending in the fifth minute of injury time to stroke the ball in from close range for 2-2.

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The second half started just as the first ended — with a goal — as Bellingham galloped down the right unchallenged and rolled the ball into the corner.

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Kane and Nico O’Reilly twice each, and Bellingham, had good chances for a 4-2 lead as England pummelled the Croatia goal.

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With 15 minutes left and England retreating, Croatia had several opportunities, before Rashford made the three points safe.

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